A crop specialist says planting progress has slowed across parts of the Corn Belt.

“There’s growers that have had their corn in the ground since May 1st,” Helena’s Mark Christianson said. “And there’s a lot of growers that still have everything in the bag.”

Christianson says some states are near or below the five-year average pace. “Western Iowa and western Missouri is 60-to-70% done on corn now and maybe 30% on beans.”

He tells Brownfield the heavier than expected rains this month have created some concerns about nitrogen and sulfur loss.

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